Yerawada Prison Inmates Transform into Chess Coaches for Fellow Prisoners
Inside the high-security walls of Yerawada Central Prison in Pune, a remarkable transformation is underway. A group of approximately 20 inmates, most serving life sentences, have taken on the role of chess coaches, training nearly 200 fellow prisoners who have shown interest in the game. This initiative is part of a broader programme aimed at rehabilitation and skill development.
From Prisoners to Champions and Coaches
The chess programme at Yerawada began in mid-2021 under the Indian Oil Corporation's social stewardship initiative, Parivartan: Prison to Pride. This programme has gained international recognition, particularly after Yerawada hosted the International Chess for Freedom Conference in 2024, organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in partnership with IOC.
The coaching group includes members of the winning team from the FIDE Intercontinental Championship for Prisoners, held in October 2025. In a tense final match, a six-member team from Yerawada clinched gold by defeating the El Salvador team in a decisive Armageddon game. All six members are serving life sentences, as are most of the 20 inmates now being trained for future tournaments.
A Structured Path to Rehabilitation
Yerawada prison Superintendent Sunil Dhamal emphasised the impact of chess within the correctional facility. "Inside the prison walls, chess has become more than a game. It offers inmates a structured space to think, plan and focus, replacing idle hours with discipline and purpose," he said. "The dedication shown by the players reflects a deeper desire to rebuild themselves and move beyond the most difficult chapters of their lives."
The selected group of 20 inmates undergoes intensive training from external coaches for two to three months before each international competition. However, for the remainder of the year, these inmates transition into coaches themselves, guiding around 200 interested prisoners through chess fundamentals and advanced strategies.
Training Methodology and Mentorship
The training programme is comprehensive, covering:
- Chess rules and terminology
- Algebraic notation and tournament protocols
- Opening principles and core tactical motifs such as forks, pins, and skewers
- Fundamental endgames, including king-and-pawn positions
- Game analysis, error identification, and time management
Indian Chess Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte mentors the programme, having brought in chess player and trainer Ketan Khaire as the team coach when the team was formed in 2021. The training team also includes International Master Eesha Karavade, Assistant Coach Sagar Mohite, Competition Referee Pavan Katkade, Computer Systems Assistant Ganesh Malkari, and Team Coordinator Yogesh Pardeshi. The programme receives guidance from Additional Director General Suhas Warke and Special Inspector General Yogesh Desai.
Impact Beyond the Chessboard
A prison department officer highlighted the transformative potential of chess. "Every inmate carries a past marked by difficult and often dark chapters. Chess, with its emphasis on strategy, patience and discipline, offers a rare opportunity to look ahead with purpose," the officer noted. "While all the participants are serving sentences for serious offences including murder, the programme aims to open a constructive path — one that encourages reflection, responsibility and the possibility of a more positive future."
Ketan Khaire, the team coach, expressed pride in the programme's unexpected benefits. "While the focus is training the 20 selected inmates, what makes us even prouder is that these 20 become coaches themselves for around 200 more inmates. That is a very unexpected yet reassuring spin-off of our programme," he said. "When we started, chess skill sets were unrefined. Now, we have a set of 20 inmates who can compete internationally and a pool of 200 more to select from."
Track Record of Success
Yerawada's chess team has consistently performed well in international competitions:
- Gold in the Intercontinental Championship in 2025
- Silver in the Asian Championship in 2025
- Fourth position in the Intercontinental Championship in 2024
- Gold in the Intercontinental Championship in 2023
- Bronze in the Intercontinental Championship in 2022
The Intercontinental Championship is the largest chess event among correctional facilities globally, organised by FIDE and the Chicago Cook County Sheriff's Office as part of the 'Chess for Freedom' programme.
This initiative at Yerawada Central Prison demonstrates how structured activities like chess can provide inmates with a sense of purpose, discipline, and hope for rehabilitation, turning a correctional facility into a hub of strategic learning and personal growth.
